Rainy day Friday

Today was Ethan's last day of Spring Break and wouldn't you know, it was cold and rainy. I would have preferred to stay home in bed (i think i have a sinus infection) but we ventured out anyways. I took the boys to the local gymnastics/bounce house place. Thanks Robyn for the great idea! What's funny is how many church people were already there when we showed up. I guess this is the place to be. As you can tell from the pictures I think Cohen was enjoying himself. At one point Robyn and I were standing there talking and I looked over at Ethan and he was completely pale with that "glassed over" look he gets when he's low. Yep, 54! I guess he was running around a little more than I thought. 2 fruit snacks later and he was good to go. We will for sure be back.

Addition

This picture should have been featured here. I always forget to remove pictures from my iPhone.

Maybe next year...

20 points Anne? Rude. I mean, congrats.

TRAUMA

Last week at Knott's. Ethan is freaked!
















It's really not much better than this one:


















From Legoland

And at the time I chalked the wetness up to the fact that we just got off the log ride (water ride), but after a second thought and a look at this picture, I am thinking it's from another source....?

The Hatch's

This week is Ethan's Spring break and coincidentally, the Hatch's had time off too and decided to come for a visit. The last time we were together was back in May, 2005, when they came to Star Valley to participate in branding the Brown's cattle.

THEN:













NOW:












And since 2005, Sarah and I have both had another kid, who evidently, like each other!













Eric and Cameron were mission companions in Taiwan together and have kept in touch ever since.













Eric & Cam, snorkeling in Catalina














Us with the Hatch's & Hansen's, backpacking in the Tetons.















Hiking Timp. (Anne & I did it too, but I didn't like that picture!)

Thanks for making the trip down here - it's gonna be a fun week!

My Dad's OCD

The other day I was at my parents house, and if you don't know my dad then you don't know his garage is HIS literal scrapbook of sorts. He lines the walls with framed pictures, mugs, license plates, posters, tools, books, maps, anything that means something to him. It has been this way in all of the houses my parents have owned, and they better think quickly about renovating/expanding because there isn't one more inch of wall to cover.













So, as I was looking back at all our old pictures I saw this one and it made me think of my blog post all about Olan Mills. I think every family must have one of these. What is my hair doing and why am I the only one NOT wearing red, white or blue? What's that about Mom?















These are pretty funny as well. Love the collar up - and with a turtle neck underneath. I must have been sweating. Who's idea was it to cut and perm my hair...?

Oh, and check out the picture above of Emily and her teal shirt and pink tie and beads. SWEET!













Then, there was this one, just for fun!

4 - A nice even number

I have a lot to catch-up on, but today's outing needed to be first on the list.

I have had a stack of online returns to take back sitting on my floor for like a month now and I haven't wanted to do it during the day with Cohen because 1. he's a pill 2. i can't push his stroller and hold the huge box at the same time and 3. returning things always frustrates me because the cashiers never know what they are doing. Well, today I decided I would go to just one of the stores on my list, mainly because my credit card payment is due and I don't want to have the charge outstanding.

So, I get Cohen in his stroller and am making my way through Sears to get to the store I need and he decides to puke all over himself and the floor. Really? If I had collected the full amount I think it would add up to at least 12 ounces. Did he drive himself to 7-11 for a super big gulp without me knowing? All I could think was this is now the 4th time he has done this to me in a store. 1. IKEA. 2. Target. 3. Home Depot and now 4. Sears. I think the kid has something against shopping.

I proceed to strip off all his clothes and thankfully, the Sears people are so helpful, bringing me paper towels and a bag to put his clothes in. Meanwhile, I am debating whether to buy him a new outfit at Sears (thinking, thinking) or to remove my hoodie and wrap him up in it. May not seem like a huge decision but I only have a tank top on underneath. So, just wanting to get the bleep out of there I start tucking my g's - so as not to confuse any of the "fashionistas" working at Sears and head for the door.

Cohen - next time wait until mommy is at work and daddy is taking care of you, okay?

Show Ethan the Money

E: Mom, I wish I was a person.
J: A person?
E: Yeah, like you.
J: You mean an adult?
E: Yes, I wish I would grow up, right now.
J: Why would you want that?
E: So that I can buy all the toys that I want and so I can just drive to Target and go shopping for lots of toys.
J: Well, you have to make money to do that.
E: Can you help me make money? How do we make it?
J: I mean, you will have to have a job, and go to work like Daddy does, that will give you money.
E: Or I can just ask for lots of toys for my birthday.

2 hours later (at Target)

E: Asking for a different item on every aisle.
J: Saying NO a hundred times over.
E: But mom, I will be your friend if you buy me this.
J: You need to be my friend regardless.
E: I am not your friend.

Yikes. I'm trying to remember how old I was when my parents started giving us an allowance for doing chores. I think it's time.

In Remembrance

Four years ago I received this plant from Anne and my parents. Four years ago today. Back then it was a little potted plant you would find at a nursery. Today it a beautiful, thriving, healthy specimen. It baffles me that it has been that long, but even more astonishing is that the plant is still alive. This miraculous plant has been through three Milwaukee winters, a few different transplants to bigger pots, and a move - where it was put in the back of a sealed truck for a week. I think it is an eternal flame of sorts but also a testament to Eric who has cared for it all these years. It is nice to have around, always reminding us of Noah Jeffery. We miss you!

Ethan's First Game

Ethan is a Dodger! I am posting this so that I can compare his skills from his first game to his last. You will notice that his knowledge for the game and how it is played isn't quite there yet. I got a good laugh out of it though.








He made it around the bases, but when he was told to run home he ran straight to the dugout instead of home plate! The coach still had him go out and touch home. Good times. (click on HQ for a better picture)



Two of Ethan's classmates and good friends are on his team. You would think that would make him excited about going and participating but I think he was actually happy when it was his turn to sit on the bench. Who knows what it will take to float this kids boat. The most enjoyable part for him was at the end when he got to eat the snacks the team mom brought. Capri Sun and Oreo Cakesters... two things he would never be allowed to eat at home.

Just click the link because I don't want to type it again.

Tonight, word for word, was exactly the same as this.

Car conversation

E: Mom, the Shorr's have 4 kids, that is a lot huh?
J: Yes, it's more than we have.
E: I think we should have another brother, we could name him 'Cool'.
J: Cool?
E: Yep, and then we could get a dog and we would name him Spot.
J: But, what if it was a girl baby or a girl dog.
E: NO MOM, that is not allowed, I want a boy dog.
J: What about a sister?
E: I don't want one of those either.
J: Well, we can't even think of getting either of them until we move.
E: Moving? Where are we moving now???
J: Well, if we decide to buy or rent a house then we would move there.
E: Can we do it in a couple days so that we can get a dog in a coulple days?
(note to self) we can never move, i hate pets!
J: No, not in a couple days Ethan, more like a couple months.
E: Awwhh Moooom, I want a dog in a couple days.
J: How about I call the pet store and ask them if they have any boy dogs?
E: OK!!!
J: fake calling.... fake conversation with pet store worker.... fake hang-up.... fake sadness in my voice - I'm sorry Ethan, they only have girl dogs right now.
E: Ok, I will wait.

Spring

Nothing says Spring more than eruption of bulbs popping up from their winter hibernation. I remember back to my days in Salt Lake, the millions of tulips around the U and downtown - I always wanted to go for nightly walks so I could snatch big bunches of them, but sadly, I don't remember ever doing it. I was thrilled when Diane said she wanted to plant some of my favorites - ranunculus! Don't these just make you want to get married all over again, just so you can plan your wedding around your flowers? Just me? Fine.

Toto Time?

Lately, Cohen has started to hate his diaper. He tugs on it when it's at all wet and now informs me when he has gone poop so that I can remove it immediately. Today, he removed his own dirty diaper without me knowing - luckily it was a poop of the no-wipe-needed variety. So this only makes me wonder if he's ready for potty training.

That would mean I would need to get this....













..... out of storage.


Which would mean I would need to have...











.... on call.



I would need to be ready for loads of this:












Which would lead to plenty of this:















Which would end up in a some of this:









AND this:












Who cares if Cohen's ready - the question should be, am I ready?

Shaggy & Scooby

Scooby Dooby doo, where are you?
We've got some work to do now
Scooby Dooby doo we need some help from you now
Come on Scooby Doo, I see you...













thank you Cohen.